Fox News host Sean Hannity addressed the controversial incident that occurred live on his show earlier this week, in which members of the Guardian Angels group were involved in a vigilante-style beating. Hannity acknowledged that the claims made by Curtis Sliwa, the leader of the group, regarding the man they attacked being a "migrant" shoplifter were false.

During the interview on Tuesday night, Sliwa, who has a history of making up stories, criticized New York Mayor Eric Adams and accused him of prioritizing "illegal aliens" over "his own people." Hannity joined in, condemning Adams' immigration policies and claiming they were causing havoc in the city.

The incident took place in Times Square, where a group of migrants had earlier clashed with the NYPD, leading to public outrage. However, when members of the Guardian Angels began scuffling with a man off-screen, Sliwa falsely claimed that they had confronted "one of the migrant guys" who was shoplifting, suggesting an attempt to link the incident to immigration issues.

It was later revealed by the New York Police Department that almost everything Sliwa had said was untrue. The man they attacked was a longtime resident of New York City living in the Bronx, and he had not been engaged in shoplifting. The police issued a disorderly conduct summons to him for heckling the Guardian Angels during the live broadcast.

Ignoring these new facts on Wednesday, Hannity finally addressed the issue at the end of his show on Thursday night. He clarified that the statements made by Sliwa about the man being a migrant and a shoplifter were patently false, and Fox News had verified this with the NYPD. Hannity also mentioned that Sliwa had admitted his mistake and expressed regret for relying on inaccurate information.

The incident has sparked further controversy, with critics pointing out that the right-wing rhetoric from Fox News played a significant role in the attack. Philip Bump, an analyst from The Washington Post, notes that Fox News' portrayal of New York City as a crime-infested city overrun by criminal immigrants contributed to the unjustified assault.

In conclusion, Hannity's acknowledgment of the false claims made during the live broadcast demonstrates a commitment to setting the record straight. However, the incident emphasizes the need for responsible journalism that avoids inciting violence and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.